Ultra Funk - 1975 UK

A rare bit of funk from the mid 70's UK scene, cut with a groove that's got plenty of blacksploitation soundtrack touches. Ultra Funk were most likely a studio group assembled for the session but they've got a tight sound that makes them perfect for serving up the mix of grooves in the set, a great blend of originals and covers, all done with lots of influences from cop shows, action soundtracks  and kung fu movies.
Most cuts are instrumentals and have some great keyboard and electric bits. The vocal version of  "Kung Fu Man", featuring Mr. Superbad, Freddie Mack is a terrific, funky dance track sounds a lot like a very early Rap. Two songs from this album, "Kung Fu Man" and the great version of Bill Withers' "Use Me". Enjoy!!!

-by dj fanis: here

T.S. Bonniwell- Close -1969 US

T.S. Bonniwell is the billing that Sean Bonniwell used for his only solo album, "Close", released on Capitol in 1969 (ST-277). This might be a bit confusing to Music Machine fans, who are familiar with the name Sean Bonniwell rather than the handle T.S. Bonniwell. For it was as Sean Bonniwell that he was the singer/songwriter and chief visionary of the Music Machine, one of the finest garage-psychedelic bands of the '60s.
"Close" have some positive attributes, particularly in the introverted-to-the-point-of-reclusion lyrics, and its sad but sweet melodies. Often Bonniwell sounds like a man whose roaring fire has dwindled down to a candle in the wind, such is the fragile and burned-out nature of songs like "Black Snow" and "Sleep." In an interview with the magazine Ugly Things, Bonniwell described it as "kind of like, if Neil Diamond did an imitation of Johnny Mathis."
From this album i chose "Black Snow", "Temporary Knife" and "Sleep".

-by dj fanis: here

Bloomsbury People-1970 US

The Bloomsbury People formed in 1968. The band immediately gained a degree of local success, playing frequently around Milwaukee and the surrounding region and recording a couple of 45s over the next couple years.
The Bloomsbury People, began playing an unconventional mixture of avant-garde rock, classical music, and baroque pop that eventually came to be characterized as progressive rock, recorded their sole self-titled album at Audio Finishers studios,Chicago and released on MGM Records (SE-4678) in 1970. Milwaukee-native Sigmund Snopek III may be one of the most fascinating artists to emerge from the late '60s and early '70s.
Sigmund Snopek III continued making intriguing music, ranging from Top 40 pop songs to electronic pieces and jazz compositions to symphonies and operas in a career that lasted well over 30 years, culminating in his most conspicuous role as a sideman for the much-loved alternative pop band The Violent Femmes.
From Bloomsbury People great and sole album i chose "Birdsong", "Pioneer Saint Of Death" and "So It Seems".Enjoy!!!

Members:

Jon Wyderka- Vocals,Percussion
Sigmund Snopek III- Keyboards,Trombone,Vocals
Ding Lorenz- Drums,Acoustic Percussion and Dropped Stick
Paul DuJardin- Bass,Trombone,Vocals
Greg Janick- Organ,Saxophones,Vocals
Dennis Lanting- Electric and Acoustic Guitars,Vocals

-by dj fanis: here

Brigg - 1973 US

Brigg was another one of those US private psych/prog legends. The group was from Northumberland, Pennsylvania, although some dealers have previously listed them as Canadian.Their 1973 self-titled album is a rare one & only melodic rural hippy rock album, with good harmonies and songs with  fine folk tinged psychedelic electric and acoustic  guitar.
The album recorded in 1973 at Susquehanna Sound Productions Studio No.1,Northumberland, Pennsylvania.This is the Italian reissue of the album by HABLABEL (HBL 11002) from 1988.Two songs from this band, "Hey Mister" and "Took It Away".

Members:

Rusty Foulke-Lead Guitar, Vocals
Rob Morse-Acoustic Guitar,Vocals
Jeff Willoughby-Bass,Flute,Piano,Vocals
Rick Klinger-Percussion
Webb Kline-Keyboards on "Hey Mister"

-by dj fanis: here

The Mandrake Memorial- Medium -1969 US

The Mandrake Memorial was an American psych/progressive rock band active 1967-1970, known for their Baroque sound and unique songwriting.(wiki)
The second album of Mandrake Memorial "Medium" released in 1969 by Poppy Records ‎(PYS- 40003) and has some interesting psychedelic interplay between guitar, keyboard and vocals as well as some jazz and Indian influences, there was a drift toward a harder rock sound and longer, more meandering songs. From this album i chose "Last Number" and "Barnaby Plum".

-by dj fanis: here

Mother Earth-Make A Joyful Noise-1969 US

Mother Earth was an eclectic American blues rock band formed in 1967 in California, fronted by Tracy Nelson. Nelson, who hailed from Madison, Wisconsin, began her career as a solo artist, but formed the Mother Earth ensemble after moving to San Francisco.
The group performed at the Fillmore West in the late 1960s alongside Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Eric Burdon, and was included on the soundtrack to the 1968 film "Revolution".The group signed to Mercury Records, recording four albums.
"Make A Joyful Noise" released in 1969 by Mercury Records (SR -61226) and  remains an overlooked classic from the Mercury catalog.
On "Make A Joyful Noise" Mother Earth neatly divided their joint appreciations for rural and urban American music, the "City Side " and  the "Country Side". Some of the guest stars on this set include Boz Scaggs, Hargus Robins, Ben Keith, D.J. Fontana, and Pete Drake.I chose "What Are You Trying To Do", "I Need Your Love So Bad" and "Come On And See".  Enjoy!!!

-by dj fanis: here

The Hombres - Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out) -1967 US

This short-lived quartet formed in 1966 and came from Memphis, Tennessee.
They had a highly individualistic sound and are best known for "Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out)" which made No. 12 in the U.S. charts in the Autumn of 1967.Also was revived on the soundtrack of the 2005 Cameron Crowe film, "Elizabethtown".
The song's spoken intro – "I preach my dear friends, you are about to receive on John Barleycorn, nicotine and the temptations of Eve"– dates to the 1951 novelty recording "Cigareetes, Whuskey and Wild, Wild Women" by Red Ingle and His Natural Seven.
Their sole album released in 1967 on Verve (FTS-3036) and contains a cover version of "Gloria" which turns into "Eight Miles High" before reverting back to "Gloria" again.
I chose "Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out)", "Sorry 'Bout That" and "Gloria".

Members:

B.B. Cunningham-Lead Vocals,Organ
John William Hunter-Drums
Jerry Lee Masters-Bass
Gary Wayne McEwen-Lead Guitar

-by dj fanis: here

Velvet Fogg - 1969 UK

Velvett Fogg were a British psychedelic rock band. Tony Iommi was a member in mid-1968, but soon left to form Black Sabbath. Their lone eponymous album was released in January 1969.
Velvett Fogg were formed in 1968 from members of a Birmingham band Gravy Train. Up front was soul singer Ernie Handy, Bob Hewitt was lead guitarist, with Graham Mullett on drums, and Mick Pollard on bass guitar. Londoner Frank Wilson who played Hammond organ, was also on vocals, eventually becoming band leader and lead vocalist. The newly formed band spent most of the year touring Germany playing at army bases and clubs. Their stage act included a light show and a go-go dancer.(wiki)
From this great psychedelic album i chose "Lady Caroline", "Come Away Melinda" and "Plastic Man".

-by dj fanis: here

The Poppy Family- Which Way You Goin' Billy?-1969 Canada

The Poppy Family was a Canadian pop music group, based in Vancouver, British Columbia. They were popular worldwide in the late 1960s and 1970s. "Which Way You Goin' Billy?", released in 1969, was the first album from The Poppy Family.
They scored their biggest hit with title track, "Which Way You Goin' Billy?", which went to #1 in both Canada and Ireland and #2 on both the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Cash Box Top 100 in the US. The album has yet to be released on modern formats and remains a rare vinyl collectible.(wiki)
The album released in Canada by London Records (PS-574) and in UK by Decca (SKL-R 5022). From this fine record i chose "Beyond The Clouds", "Of Cities And Escapes" and "Free From The City". Enjoy!!!

Members:

Susan Jacks-Vocals & Petersen's bean pod
Terry Jacks-Guitar, Vocals
Craig McCaw-Guitar, Sitar
Satwant Sing-Tablas, Bongos, Percussion

-by dj fanis: here

Link Wray-Early Recordings -1987 UK Ace Records Compilation

Fred Lincoln 'Link' Wray, Jr. (May 2, 1929 – November 5, 2005), was an American rock and roll guitarist, songwriter and vocalist who became popular in the late 1950s.(wiki)
This 1987 UK compilation by Ace Records (‎CH 6), contain some early 60's recordings by Link Wray and His Ray Men. I chose "Batman Theme","Jack The Ripper", "Hidden Charms" and "Fat Back".


Members:

Guitar – Link Wray
Drums – Doug Wray
Bass – Shorty Horton
Keyboards – Joey Welz, Vernon Wray

-by dj fanis: here